16 Machine guns on a B-17 Bomber YB-40

This presentation outlines the service history of the heavily armed and armored B-17 bomber. The YB-40s were intended to blend in with the formations and act as a bomber escort until sufficient long ranger fighters escorted were available. Unfortunately, the YB-40s never lived up to their expectations they were withdrawn from service after 14 combat missions. The video also challenges some of the long held myths why the YB-40s were discontinued after 2 months of service. The charts shown in this presentation can be downloaded here: